Hearts and Wings
This year seems to be a year of reflection and new direction. I've been thinking alot, reading alot, and DREAMING...alot.
With that being said, at the beginning of the year, I made a resolution to not make a resolution. My brain is always going in a million directions anyway and that just seemed like one more thing on the "to do" list. And, I hate to do lists. Anyone who knows me could probably figure that one out. At the same time, I wanted to make goals and work on one at least one of my "flaws", for lack of a better term. I had the idea of making a piece of art with one particular word that I wanted to work on, kind of like a symbolic reminder. Seemed better to me than making some stupid resolution. I also thought that something tangible, coming from the heart, would hold more meaning for me. Now the trouble was just coming up with one word...there are many, many things that I need to work on and so many things I want in my life. The word that kept creeping into my thoughts was "fearless". No matter how hard I tried to push it back (I thought that word wasn't particularly artistic or romantic...couldn't I have love or peace instead?) it kept nudging me. It would come to me as I was getting ready to teach a class. It would whisper to me when I was trying a new technique. I heard it as I was getting ready to start the day. I would argue, I'm not afraid. I'm a risk taker, aren't I? Fearless, be Fearless. Ok, ok, I give in. I will make a piece and add the word "Fearless", I declared. Finally. Now what?? I stared at the blank cradleboard. I threw on some paint. I added some texture. My gremlin voice said "no, that's not good enough, this is stupid, what kind of artist does this". I listened and I put the board down and didn't go back to it for another week or maybe two. Funny how that happens and why do we listen to that stuff?? "Fearless" whispered to me again. I picked up the piece again and this time, I couldn't stop. I textured the lower part...random, tangled, blue, dark. Then a funny thing happened - and I didn't even know it was happening. I textured a heart in the middle of the piece with wings coming off of it. The heart and wings were rising above the random, tangled, blue, dark bottom of the painting. Not only that, the heart continued to rise above the "mess"! Tears. Tears of joy, tears of letting go, tears of the surprise that happened when I just let go and gave in. This piece is one of my favorites for all of those reasons and more. I just love it - and trust me, I usually don't put that statement out there about any of my work. The picture doesn't even capture the essence of it. I think the lesson in this for me is to really take time to be still and listen. Fearless begs me to let go and be myself. Be open. Put myself out there. I really do have a voice through my art and that is what I learned that day.
So, if you let go, be still, and be open, what word would mean something to you?
This year seems to be a year of reflection and new direction. I've been thinking alot, reading alot, and DREAMING...alot.
With that being said, at the beginning of the year, I made a resolution to not make a resolution. My brain is always going in a million directions anyway and that just seemed like one more thing on the "to do" list. And, I hate to do lists. Anyone who knows me could probably figure that one out. At the same time, I wanted to make goals and work on one at least one of my "flaws", for lack of a better term. I had the idea of making a piece of art with one particular word that I wanted to work on, kind of like a symbolic reminder. Seemed better to me than making some stupid resolution. I also thought that something tangible, coming from the heart, would hold more meaning for me. Now the trouble was just coming up with one word...there are many, many things that I need to work on and so many things I want in my life. The word that kept creeping into my thoughts was "fearless". No matter how hard I tried to push it back (I thought that word wasn't particularly artistic or romantic...couldn't I have love or peace instead?) it kept nudging me. It would come to me as I was getting ready to teach a class. It would whisper to me when I was trying a new technique. I heard it as I was getting ready to start the day. I would argue, I'm not afraid. I'm a risk taker, aren't I? Fearless, be Fearless. Ok, ok, I give in. I will make a piece and add the word "Fearless", I declared. Finally. Now what?? I stared at the blank cradleboard. I threw on some paint. I added some texture. My gremlin voice said "no, that's not good enough, this is stupid, what kind of artist does this". I listened and I put the board down and didn't go back to it for another week or maybe two. Funny how that happens and why do we listen to that stuff?? "Fearless" whispered to me again. I picked up the piece again and this time, I couldn't stop. I textured the lower part...random, tangled, blue, dark. Then a funny thing happened - and I didn't even know it was happening. I textured a heart in the middle of the piece with wings coming off of it. The heart and wings were rising above the random, tangled, blue, dark bottom of the painting. Not only that, the heart continued to rise above the "mess"! Tears. Tears of joy, tears of letting go, tears of the surprise that happened when I just let go and gave in. This piece is one of my favorites for all of those reasons and more. I just love it - and trust me, I usually don't put that statement out there about any of my work. The picture doesn't even capture the essence of it. I think the lesson in this for me is to really take time to be still and listen. Fearless begs me to let go and be myself. Be open. Put myself out there. I really do have a voice through my art and that is what I learned that day.
So, if you let go, be still, and be open, what word would mean something to you?
This painting is available for purchase. The size is 10 X 10 X 1. It is finished with a resin finish, which makes the colors "pop"! There is no need for framing, unless you'd like to do so.
If you have questions, comments, or are interested in purchasing, please send me an email ~ saltlightwatercolors@yahoo.com.
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